While Thorsten Heins will soon be stepping down as BlackBerry CEO, John Chen will take over as interim CEO for the time being. We're not sure just what will pan out in the coming weeks for the company, but there are certainly many questions left to be answered.

We joked a bit on our podcast today about what devices are coming up, not fully knowing what the state of BlackBerry's handset business will be. Thankfully it looks like it will stay pointed in the right direction however. In an interview with Reuters, John Chen stated that the company has no plans of shutting down the handset business just yet.

"I know we have enough ingredients to build a long-term sustainable business. I have done this before and seen the same movie before."

There will be plenty of other shifts internally though, including changing the company's executive team and promoting some current people as well.

I agree that many people are unaware that BB10 is a sea change for the BBRY OS.

I don't agree that if and when they find out they will necessarily think it is better than anything else out there...or than anything at all.

I'm not saying that to deride the BB10 OS, but more to underscore the point that marketing needs to be exponentially better and it also needs to hammer on points of distinction. "You can't do A, B, C on that handset or that one."

Consumers are caught in a perpetual pissing contest between handset manufacturers, based on hardware and software specs. If BBRY falls in to that game it will continue to lose big.

There is definitely still a market for what it does (I was shocked not that long ago to see 80+% pf respondents to an online poll say they preferred a physical keyboard)l. It has to get out of its own way and start moving in the right direction, with marketing and PR as the prime directives.

What they need is something new to call there own again. Even if they had all the apps ios and android have it won't guarantee anything. But if they had exclusive apps kinda like what BBM was it would give ppl a reason to switch

First, BlackBerry needs to address every single issue/comment/suggestion in the forums here and on their own site. Then, they can go ahead and worrying about marketing. Until BlackBerry and it's users stop opening their mouths for every single tiny issue, outsiders will continue to see BlackBerry as they've seen it for 2-3 years. Don't worry about marketing until all of your loyal customers are happy. Marketing starts from within--and if you and I aren't the best help for marketing, then what is?

Not to knock your comment niss63, but many say just that and turn to iPhone and Android because 'BB10 is not like BB7'. I'd like to ask those folks, "is your iPhone or Android like BB7"? BB10.2 is a lot more full featured than BB7 was, but some less critical BB7 features like keyboard shortcuts are coming and have come to BB10.2.

Do you see Apple waiting on the carriers? Do you see Google waiting on the carriers with their Nexus line of phones? There are ways to not wait on the carriers, that is BlackBerry's problem. If you want to be competitive you can't have another company put restrictions on your product. They will continue to stay the same course they have been on for the last 6-7 years. They need to make some drastic process changes if they want to be around for the next 3-5 years.

Right but the nexus line get the latest os because they are a google product just like the os, same could be said with blackberry, they make the hardware and software. If htc or samsung made bb10 devices then you could expect to be a delay but I don't see how they can't just push the update ota when some carriers aren't even stocking blackberry phones anymore.

BlackBerry is small line in the smartphone market. Who is not being reasonable here. If you want another example there have been more Samsung software updates than BlackBerry updates and one Samsung model has out sold all of the BlackBerry devices put together. Or do you think the Samsung Galaxy and Note device line is small too?

Most of the Android phones do not have the latest OS, and most of them have a very long wait time just to see jelly beans on their product so go learn your facts before you post something up. We blackberry user, not your average Joe have ways to upgrade our os to the latest version. Same with androids or ios, in IOS you jail break, android you root it, blackberry you install leaked OS. All of this methods are not for your average dumb consumers.

First of all I have forgotten more about smartphones than you will ever understand. Secondly if you want to talk "facts" how about you go read my post and address what I said and not what you think I meant. I never said Android, I said the Nexus line of Google branded devices. If you want to get technical I am willing to bet that the original Nexus One device is better than your current BlackBerry.
Just an FYI, you don't need to jailbreak a device to get the latest update, it is readily available and is available across all carriers. You cannot argue that and if you do you will just make yourself sound even more dumb than you already have.
I'm glad you agree that the average user is dumb, they will not jailbreak or root or load a custom rom. If they have a BlackBerry they will be stuck on that OS and receive no functional updates for the entire time they own the phone. Even leaked versions of the BB OS don't really provide anything useful.

Since you brought up Nexus...they have an official support cycle of 18 months. So Google could stop sending you the precious updates 1.5 years into a 2 year contract, as they recently decided to for the Galaxy Nexus. So when you look at one aspect, look at everything.

I would rather buy a Nexus knowing that in a year and a half it won't get updates anymore than buy a BB and be told there will be updates but never receive them. My point is Google can update their Nexus line 50 times if they need to, BB has to wait for the carriers to approve it which takes months to get one update approved. When I say months that is being generous, there have been updated in the past that have taken close to a year to get approved through Verizon. I work closely with both BB and the carriers so I understand the choke point for BB, if they want to legitimately compete they need to remove the carriers from their update process. Simple as that.

Nope. RIM or BBRY or whatever they'll call themselves are the only ones responsible for the quality of their relationship with carriers. Including carriers in the US. If the team responsible for this relationship cannot do their job then replace them.

As we sit here stagnant, the competitors are making their OS'S better... and you say what's the rush? That's what got us here in the first place. Z10 should've come with 10.2, the phone is lightyears behind in missing options and bugs that need to be addressed. Shame on you!

I think you replied to the wrong comment or didn't understand the sarcasm. BB10.2 is even late. It should have released some 2 years ago or by the time PlayBook was released, if that happened we would be having most of the major apps by now.

Right, he's not going to come out and say we are considering cutting the handset department off, especially when they just released a new phone lets sit and wait a few months and see if he's singing a different tune

what a lame content of your comment. cheesy and nonsense. BlackBerry do need a big partner, it won't do it by itself. we can all sheer and yell in favor of BlackBerry but let's not forget the issues BBRY has. "Being yourself" cliché won't work. BB10 is the best option out there but it won't sell because BBRY is been doing marketing wrong since ever!. So please no, dont be the best and dont be BlackBerry if you are not going to market your product correctly, with all the APPS people need to have.

Agreed
I don't want another device, I wouldn't care if I was the only BlackBerry user left. I waited for my Z10, I reserved it the minute I could, read everything I could about it every day, called the store and bugged them daily to see if my phone was in yet and tried to pay to move my name up the line. I have signed up to crackberry, defended BlackBerry on the Internet and bought as many apps as possible to show support, i side loaded Apps for people so they would have nothing to complain about I have shown off features to strangers, called out people for not buying a BlackBerry, I sadly had to give the sales person a lesson when I picked up my Z10 because at that point he didn't know there was a keyboard version coming too.

BlackBerry users are different then other users, we don't just buy because everyone else has one.

Unfortunately that isn't the main factor - we all know how much better the Z10 is than an iPhone but unfortunately the public don't. They all follow blindly like sheep and are brainwashed by the media. Since the news broke I have seen several articles about this and all of them have been very negative e.g. 'CEO quits as bid fails', 'no interest in Blackberry as they take 1bn debt'....yet again the press are just digging the knife in and so many consumers believe Blackberry is finished!

Well he can say what he wants and it would be great to keep the handset business going as I do beleive there is potential in that market that BlackBerry needs time to develop. Using enterprise penetration as a way to drive future sales is a great way to proceed. Not sure they need to make the handsets themselves as it is very costly. They need to downside and enough current users to upgrade. Still lots of legacy devices out there that can be upgraded once BB 10 seamlessly integrates the legacy OS operation so users can migrate with little hassle. Hey, things will change, people will get tired of apple and Google and I'd BlackBerry keeps improving and moving forward, the opportunity will be there at some point!!

Build a handset for every price point and keep on improving the already nice OS
Also pursue the big apps to come on to bb10... :)
Seems simple to image and hard to accomplish... but you can do it BlackBerry...

Posted via the awesome keyboard on Z10STL100-1/10.2.0.1791 using CB10 App

This doesn't mean they'll still be making consumer driven handsets. But at the same time with BYOD I don't see that focusing on enterprise-only devices will do much to help the troubled company.

I'm sure Chen knows what he's doing, though. He has done this before.

I eagerly await the final outcome regardless if that outcome is within weeks, months or for the rest of my life should Prem, the other investors and Chen (for however long he remains CEO) be able to turn this ship around.

It's disheartening when I over hear a sales person say BlackBerry is too complicated just go with X device. I usually interject and ask the buyer what do you want to know and demonstrate what I can, I don't work there, but I like to take the time to clear the misconceptions these people give just because they're too lazy to educate themselves.

IMO, BlackBerry 10 is one of the easiest mobile OS's to use. I have a Z30 and an iPhone 5 running ios 6, and I know that my Z30 is a breeze to use compared to the Apple device. I have to use the iPhone for work and dread very time I use it... click, double click, hold, click... awful!

I know that this takes time and money, but this needs to be done to make BlackBerry 10 a success.

First thing they need to do is beef up the 10.2 JellyBean runtime and get the big name vendors to port their latest apps into BlackBerry World. Like it or not few people will want a phone that can't run Instagram and Netflix and Spotify out of the box. They work well sideloaded, but few people will tolerate the process or know where to get the versions that actually work. I'm surprised it's still not easy to do this ota for those that want to. BlackBerry needs to relentlessly hound companies to do the Android ports and worry about a superior native app later. Flipboard is a great win and they need more.

Then they need to aggressively market the phones as having people's apps and then change the perception of old, freezing phones and show how 10.2 has clear innovations in meaningful ways that show people having fun, saving time at work and play, and using it as a trusted part of their lives. Have fun with the ads. Position the devices as desirable and aspirational, and launch new phones with better designs with smart distribution and don't over produce them. Fix distribution problems and sell them directly - bypass the carriers.

I think we will see a lot more things like this from Mr. Chen. From one of the panels he did many years ago(which is viewable on the post about him) he specifically mentions that lack of clear direction kills companies(not to mention morale within the company). I think with that in mind we will start seeing BB be more forthcoming about their strategy going forward and what is next. Ultimately that is really what's hurting them the most, it isn't the lack of advertising, it's the fact that many don't know what's going on so they don't know whether they should stay with BB or move onto something else.

Promote Michael Clewley, Alex Kinsella. Fire Frank Boulben, Kristian Tear, Marty Malik and most of the marketing/PR staff and rehire proven young marketing executives with a solid understanding of technology. Really liking Mr. Chen's resume so far I would strongly consider him for the long term with his excellent turn around history, successful startups, and government, international relations, educational and entertainment industry ties.

I am wanting Blackberry to succeed and love my Z10. I think the first order of business is to sit down with the carriers and get them on board some how.
It was a real let down for me this weekend as I walked into my local Best Buy to take a a look at the Z30. I looked all over for it and couldn't find a demo unit at all. I talked with the sales associate who looked surprised that i even knew what it was. He said i have one unit behind the counter but no demo and walked away. This is not even in the US it is in Canada! How are they going to actually sell any devices?
My crazy suggestion is they give the top sales people at every carrier a Z10 to use and demo for a few weeks ( and tell them to research Crackberry website for How to help). Blackbery should offer incentive if they sell any devices. If these sales people can see what BB10 is all about i'm sure they will admit there are some advantages to BB10 phones and maybe that will rub off on the other sales people in the store at least enough to change the mindset and turn around the negativity for them to sell more. I know it's easier said then done.
Anyways that's my two cents.

I have no idea who Chen is but the news regarding the exit of Thor & a management shift is definitely a necessity! I also didn't fully understand why Fairfax is injecting $1 billion & what that benefit is unless it's to be used to market the sh*t out these products.
Anyhow, this isn't rocket science & what BlackBerry needs is to PROMOTE & be innovative about it! Those lame commercials we've seen were pure run-of-the-mill 'we expect everyone to buy in, with little to no effort on our part'. FAIL!
They have the talent & the product but they need people at the top to do their jobs & move these handsets & get more companies on board with BES10.
Are Chen & Fairfax the answer? Time will tell. At the very least they've started with a necessary important move. Who knows what their real plan is though. This could all be smoke & mirrors to keep people from mass exiting until a more convenient time. I'm glad to hear they don't plan on leaving the handset business, I just don't know what else they plan. Just very skeptical when it comes to BlackBerry management because these guys, in some way, shape or form are in bed together.
Let's hope for the best!

AMEN!!! While BBRY's marketing under Boulben was better than it was previously (which really isn't saying much considering it was pretty much non existent to begin with), Boulben doesn't see to be able to get the consumer interest engine revved up. Time to bring in someone with a clue..

For me BlackBerry need to focus on gaming experience, camera and better graphics. Maybe improve more on software. The OS gesture so good I'm in love with it, easy to navigate between apps. Stop making stl100-1 experience like I'm feel like now. Make it dual band all can use it. Z10 feel good in hand and solid and I hope improve on screen display 1080 p maybe

I love my PlayBook and would buy a spec'd up PB2 running BB10.2 in a heartbeat...they just need to drop the name PlayBook..it is tainted and really is counter intuitive to what they want a tablet to be.

I hope Blackberry don't shutdown cause I love there headset it better then any smartphone out there why they have the most powerful security software & email, BBM( I love what they are doing with QNX in car system)

"Chen stated that the company has no plans of shutting down the handset business JUST YET."

Am I reading into this too much or are we all getting a bit too excited? I want nothing more than to feel good about upgrading to a Z30 after buying a Z10 less than a year ago but that seems like an interesting quote.

Same here, I love BBM, I've already added about 10 new contacts to my list. Hopefully the video and call features will come soon. BlackBerry cannot afford to lose the momentum. And as far as the 10.2 update, ATT takes for ever. I guess I don't a choice but wait :(

In fact I think they are the single most important ingredient to quickly turn BB into profitable. What they need to do is to tighten Quality Control, strengthen supply chain management, lower labor cost without hiring child labor, and focus on the right markets.

Blackberry has an incredibly patient and loyal fan base, I have had a couple of all models since the scroll wheel, loved the 8210 slider, now have Z10's, hope the perception of the product turns backed only by leading edge hardware, software and marketing for BB to become again relevant in a much more competitive environment, smart people can make smart things happen, mediocrity.....all is lost in today's world.

Why does everyone hate Thorsten? I don't think he did too bad. My problem with what Blackberry is doing right now though is that it seems like they are going to switch directions again. They just completely shifted over to BB10, they need to keep going in the direction they're headed. Although, maybe they will.

I tend to agree with you. From what I have seen Thorsten he appears to be a highly Intelligent person. Unfortunately, timing is everything and "Perception" is crucial. With the recent turn of events, It is my hope that the nay sayers will now step back and say "Hey, They ARE back in the game" and pick one up out of curiosity. Then they will be hooked.

I'm glad other people are questioning and noticing this as well; I find the hypocrisy of some people on here to be utterly astonishing; the overtly racist overtones to which are being used regarding his German heritage to be disgusting and downright embarrassing for a supposed "caring and supportive" Blackberry community to say nothing of the "Heinz Ketchup" misnomer which is just childish and immature to the core.

I am so happy "BlackBerry" took down their " For Sale" sign. I have a Z10 and it is amazing. The Z30 will do much better simply because the Z10 has proven BBRY's second to none but had the burden of public perception to overcome. Every person that has navigated through my Z10 is amazed.

The comments on this article are reason #1 as to why BlackBerry is not a positive company in the public's eyes.

Shut your mouths, or switch devices.

Voice your opinions and suggestions, along with issues, but try to act a little more loyal. You are the di** carrying a BlackBerry anyway, so you better have more than complaints to explain to your friends when they ask "A BLACKBERRY? YOU STILL HAVE ONE OF THOSE?"

Marketing is BlackBerry's least important objective right now. They must please all of us here before they start worrying about changing the world.

Question? How much damage to the overall BB10 roll out has occured becasuse they put of the "FOR SALE" sign in the window.
Carriers don't want to commit to the Z30, Regular people are saying it's finally over, etc.... and I don't blame them! It seemed like a white flag was raised and now it's down??? Why did they even bother advertising this?
I hope Chen can get the train back on the right tracks, soon! Blackberry Manangement needs a resonable overhaul.

Wow at least that came from the interim CEO right? I'm starting to like this guy already haha. My guess is that they're currently preparing for the strategy moving forward now that Fairfax will be giving them a billion dollars. I wonder what Mike L. has to say in all of this?

I met someone today with a Z10 who rants and raves about how much he loves his phone. He is an amateur photographer and the shots he gets with his Z10 and nothing shy of amazing. While I own a Q10 it sure made me want to own a Z of some kind. We were showing off the features of a couple iPhone users we work with and they were both really impressed at what the devices could do. I think if BlackBerry just got the devices in ppl's hands somehow they would fall in love. They need a marketing campaign where they let people test out the devices. I picture a travelling BlackBerry booth with knowledgeable BlackBerry users showing future customers hands-on! We need this kind of marketing now. !! Hopefully we change in the company in this direction in the near future.

Hell yeah BB! Still making great devices. I'm in the US and I used to chuck my 9900 across the room and it would turn back on like a charm. Keep sending software updates and bringing developers on board. Get us the apps that make us productive....ill take quality over quantity everytime!

Many people are impressed with our BlackBerry devices, but there is an overwhelming sense of iphone and Android hysteria that it makes BlackBerry hard to get the hardware devices in people's hands. It would be nice to see some BlackBerry commercials on TV but I also realize their target market is the enterprise and not the everyday consumer. Come on Chen, get people excited about BlackBerry again. Don't break it up, don't sell off the peices, show the marketplace that BlackBerry has the superior devices us BlackBerry users already know we have.

glad to see some life back in these forums..even though i switched to imore and apple products. hope bb makes a return soon and brings xmradio capital one and bank america with them lol thats all i need phuck netflix!

if 10.2 is up to par ( I haven't downloaded it yet) and they can make a real advertising campaign letting people know that they are not the same old blackberry. I think there can be a turnaround it is a uphill battle

Well Tues morning has arrived in the UK, and for the media it's like Christmas has arrived early. They were a little nervous when bbm was doing well but they seem much happier to learn they can be negative again.

And get rid of that liar Alec Saunders... the guy is a complete liar... now that he can't suck off heins to keep his job maybe he can get a job working for a pizza joint and twitter about the wings and beer

What would you expect BB to say? Up to the day before Blockbuster locked their doors for good, their CEO was saying everything is great keep renting. The day before HP announced it was shuttering Palm they were touting upcoming upgrades to the new WebOS. John Chen is an enterprise services guy, so good chance BB will head that direction. If the handset unit is bleeding then it's on the chopping block - BB no longer has the cash to gamble. It might be a bit premature to celebrate.

CrackBerry is in no way Affiliated with BlackBerry. We take pride in our unbiased content, however do occasionally receive free products from vendors that we review or discuss. For more info click here.